Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads

ABSTRACT

Ball striking devices, such as golf clubs, have a head that includes a face member having a striking face and a rear side opposite the face, and a rear member positioned behind the face member and connected to the rear side of the face member. A connection assembly includes a torsion bar connected to the face member and the rear member, such that the torsion bar is the most rigid point of connection between the face member and the rear member. The torsion bar is configured to create a mass damping effect upon an impact on the face, such that the torsion bar exerts at least a counterclockwise torsional force on the face during the impact on the toe portion of the face and at least a clockwise torsional force on the face during the impact on the heel portion of the face, to create the mass damping effect.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to ball striking devices, such as golfclubs and golf club heads, utilizing mass damping effects at impact.Certain aspects of this invention relate to golf club heads having arear member configured to create a mass damping effect upon an impact onthe face.

BACKGROUND

Golf clubs and many other ball striking devices can encounterundesirable effects when the ball being struck impacts the ball strikinghead away from the optimum location, which may be referred to as an“off-center impact.” In a golf club head, this optimum location is, inmany cases, aligned laterally and/or vertically with the center ofgravity (CG) of the head. Even slightly off-center impacts can sometimessignificantly affect the performance of the head, and can result inreduced velocity and/or energy transfer to the ball, inconsistent ballflight direction and/or spin caused by twisting of the head, increasedvibration that can produce undesirable sound and/or feel, and otherundesirable effects. Technologies that can reduce or eliminate some orall of these undesirable effects could have great usefulness in golfclub heads and other ball striking devices.

The present devices and methods are provided to address at least some ofthe problems discussed above and other problems, and to provideadvantages and aspects not provided by prior ball striking devices ofthis type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of thepresent invention is deferred to the following detailed description,which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention inorder to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary isnot an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended toidentify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate thescope of the invention. The following summary merely presents someconcepts of the invention in a general form as a prelude to the moredetailed description provided below.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to ball striking devices, such as golfclubs, with a head that includes a face member including a face having astriking surface configured for striking a ball and a rear side locatedopposite the striking face, with the striking face having a heel portionand a toe portion, and a rear member positioned behind the face memberand connected to the rear side of the face member, with the rear memberhaving a heel end and a toe end. A connection assembly connects the facemember to the rear member, and the connection assembly includes atorsion bar having a first connection point connected to the face memberand rotationally fixed with respect to the face member, and a secondconnection point connected to the rear member and rotationally fixedwith respect to the rear member. The torsion bar is configured to createa mass damping effect upon an impact on the striking face, such that thetorsion bar is configured to exert at least a counterclockwise torsionalforce on the face during the impact on the toe portion of the face andto exert at least a clockwise torsional force on the face during theimpact on the heel portion of the face, when viewed from above, tocreate the mass damping effect.

According to one aspect, the torsion bar is the most rigid point ofconnection between the face member and the rear member.

According to another aspect, the torsion bar includes a pin having anon-circular cross-section and being fixedly connected to one of theface member and the rear member, and the connection assembly furtherincludes a receiver in the other of the face member and the rear member.The receiver has a complementary non-circular cross-section and receivesthe pin therein, such that the non-circular cross-section of the pin andthe complementary non-circular cross-section of the receiverrotationally fix the pin with respect to the receiver. In oneconfiguration, the receiver may be a blind hole.

According to a further aspect, the head also includes a resilientmaterial engaging the rear member and the rear side of the face memberand positioned between a front side of the rear member and the facemember on the heel end and the toe end of the rear member, where theresilient material has greater flexibility than the torsion bar. In oneconfiguration, the resilient material is configured to be compressedbetween the rear member and the face member during the impact on theface.

According to yet another aspect, the torsion bar is welded to the facemember at the first connection point and is welded to the rear member atthe second connection point.

According to other aspects, the first connection point of the torsionbar may be positioned substantially equidistant from a heel edge and atoe edge of the face member, and/or the first connection point of thetorsion bar may be generally aligned with a center of gravity of theface member or the rear member.

Additional aspects of the disclosure relate to ball striking devices,such as golf clubs, with a head that includes a face member having astriking face configured for striking a ball and a rear side oppositethe striking face, with the striking face having a heel portion and atoe portion, and a rear member positioned behind the face member andconnected to the rear side of the face member, with the rear memberhaving a heel end and a toe end. A connection assembly connects the facemember to the rear member, and the connection assembly includes atorsion bar connected to the face member and the rear member, such thatthe torsion bar is the most rigid point of connection between the facemember and the rear member. The torsion bar is configured to create amass damping effect upon an impact on the face, such that the torsionbar is configured to exert at least a counterclockwise torsional forceon the face during the impact on the toe portion of the face and toexert at least a clockwise torsional force on the face during the impacton the heel portion of the face, when viewed from above, to create themass damping effect. The torsion bar may be welded to the face memberand/or the rear member in one configuration.

According to one aspect, the torsion bar includes a pin having anon-circular cross-section and being fixedly connected to one of theface member and the rear member, and the connection assembly furtherincludes a receiver in the other of the face member and the rear member,receiving the pin therein. The receiver has a complementary non-circularcross-section, and the non-circular cross-section of the pin and thecomplementary non-circular cross-section of the receiver rotationallyfix the pin with respect to the receiver.

According to another aspect, the face member further includes a wallextending rearwardly on a rear surface of the face member, and the rearmember is connected to the torsion bar on a top side of the wall.

According to a further aspect, the face member further includes a wallextending rearwardly on a rear surface of the face member, and the rearmember is connected to the torsion bar on a bottom side of the wall.

According to other aspects, the torsion bar is positioned substantiallyequidistant from a heel edge and a toe edge of the face member, and/orthe torsion bar is generally aligned with a center of gravity of theface member or the rear member.

Further aspects of the disclosure relate to ball striking devices, suchas golf clubs, with a head that includes a face member having a strikingface configured for striking a ball and a rear side opposite thestriking face, with the striking face having a heel portion and a toeportion, and a rear member positioned behind the face member andconnected to the rear side of the face member, with the rear memberhaving a heel end and a toe end. A connection assembly connects the facemember to the rear member, and the connection assembly includes a pinhaving a first connection point connected to and rotationally fixed withrespect to one of the face member and the rear member, and a receiverlocated on another of the face member and the rear member, with the pinfurther having a second connection point received within the receiver. Aresilient material is positioned within the receiver, and the resilientmaterial engages the pin and the receiver and separates the pin from thereceiver, such that the resilient material permits the pin to create amass damping effect by flexing the resilient material. The connectionassembly is configured to create the mass damping effect upon an impacton the face, such that the resilient material is configured to becompressed at the toe end of the rear member during the impact on thetoe portion of the face, and the resilient material is configured to becompressed at the heel end of the rear member during the impact on theheel portion of the face. The pin and the receiver may havecomplementary non-circular cross-sections in one configuration.

According to one aspect, the resilient material is a gasket connected toan inner surface of the receiver and defining an opening receiving andengaging the pin.

According to another aspect, the resilient material is a lining on thepin that engages an inner surface of the receiver when the pin isreceived within the receiver.

According to further aspects, the pin and the receiver may be positionedsubstantially equidistant from a heel edge and a toe edge of the facemember, and/or the pin and the receiver may be generally aligned with acenter of gravity of the face member or the rear member.

Other aspects of the invention relate to a golf club or other ballstriking device including a head or other ball striking device asdescribed above and a shaft connected to the head/device and configuredfor gripping by a user. The shaft may be connected to the face member ofthe head, and may form a golf putter in one configuration. Aspects ofthe invention relate to a set of golf clubs including at least one golfclub as described above. Yet additional aspects of the invention relateto a method for manufacturing a ball striking device as described above,including connecting a rear member and/or a resilient material to a facemember as described above.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To allow for a more full understanding of the present invention, it willnow be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a ball striking deviceaccording to aspects of the present disclosure, in the form of a golfputter;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top rear perspective view of another embodiment of a ballstriking device according to aspects of the present disclosure, in theform of a golf putter;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a top rear perspective view of another embodiment of a ballstriking device according to aspects of the present disclosure, in theform of a golf putter;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a top view of another embodiment of a ball striking deviceaccording to aspects of the present disclosure, in the form of a golfputter;

FIG. 12 is a top view of another embodiment of a ball striking deviceaccording to aspects of the present disclosure, in the form of a golfputter;

FIG. 13 is a top view of another embodiment of a ball striking deviceaccording to aspects of the present disclosure, in the form of a golfputter;

FIG. 14 is a cross-section view taken along lines 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a connection assemblyconfigured for use with a ball striking device according to aspects ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a connectionassembly configured for use with a ball striking device according toaspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a connectionassembly configured for use with a ball striking device according toaspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a connectionassembly configured for use with a ball striking device according toaspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a side cross-section view of another embodiment of aconnection assembly configured for use with a ball striking deviceaccording to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a top view of another embodiment of a ball striking deviceaccording to aspects of the present disclosure, in the form of a golfputter;

FIG. 21 is a top view of another embodiment of a ball striking deviceaccording to aspects of the present disclosure, in the form of a golfputter;

FIG. 22 is a top view of another embodiment of a ball striking deviceaccording to aspects of the present disclosure, in the form of a golfputter;

FIG. 23 is a top view of another embodiment of a ball striking deviceaccording to aspects of the present disclosure, in the form of a golfputter; and

FIG. 24 is a top view of another embodiment of a ball striking deviceaccording to aspects of the present disclosure, in the form of a golfputter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various example structures according tothe invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, whichform a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrationvarious example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects ofthe invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherspecific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, andenvironments may be utilized and structural and functional modificationsmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “rear,”“primary,” “secondary,” and the like may be used in this specificationto describe various example features and elements of the invention,these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based onthe example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation duringtypical use. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein,indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively orconjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Nothing in thisspecification should be construed as requiring a specific threedimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scopeof this invention. Also, the reader is advised that the attacheddrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

The following terms are used in this specification, and unless otherwisenoted or clear from the context, these terms have the meanings providedbelow.

“Ball striking device” means any device constructed and designed tostrike a ball or other similar objects (such as a hockey puck). Inaddition to generically encompassing “ball striking heads,” which aredescribed in more detail below, examples of “ball striking devices”include, but are not limited to: golf clubs, putters, croquet mallets,polo mallets, baseball or softball bats, cricket bats, tennis rackets,badminton rackets, field hockey sticks, ice hockey sticks, and the like.

“Ball striking head” means the portion of a “ball striking device” thatincludes and is located immediately adjacent (optionally surrounding)the portion of the ball striking device designed to contact the ball (orother object) in use. In some examples, such as many golf clubs andputters, the ball striking head may be a separate and independent entityfrom any shaft or handle member, and it may be attached to the shaft orhandle in some manner.

The term “shaft” includes the portion of a ball striking device (if any)that the user holds during a swing of a ball striking device.

“Integral joining technique” means a technique for joining two pieces sothat the two pieces effectively become a single, integral piece,including, but not limited to, irreversible joining techniques, such asadhesively joining, cementing, welding, brazing, soldering, or the like.In many bonds made by “integral joining techniques,” separation of thejoined pieces cannot be accomplished without structural damage thereto.

“Approximately” or “about” means within a range of +/−10% of the nominalvalue modified by such term.

In general, aspects of this invention relate to ball striking devices,such as golf club heads, golf clubs, putter heads, putters, and thelike. Such ball striking devices, according to at least some examples ofthe invention, may include a ball striking head and a ball strikingsurface. In the case of a golf club, the ball striking surface mayconstitute a substantially flat surface on one face of the ball strikinghead, although some curvature may be provided (e.g., “bulge” or “roll”characteristics). Some more specific aspects described herein relate toputters and putter heads, although aspects described herein may also beutilized in wood-type golf clubs and golf club heads, including drivers,fairway woods, hybrid-type clubs, as well as iron-type golf clubs, othertypes of golf clubs or other ball striking devices, if desired.

According to various aspects of this invention, the ball striking devicemay be formed of one or more of a variety of materials, such as metals(including metal alloys), ceramics, polymers, composites,fiber-reinforced composites, and wood, and the devices may be formed inone of a variety of configurations, without departing from the scope ofthe invention. In one embodiment, some or all components of the head,including the face and at least a portion of the body of the head, aremade of metal materials. It is understood that the head also may containcomponents made of several different materials. Additionally, thecomponents may be formed by various forming methods. For example, metalcomponents (such as titanium, aluminum, titanium alloys, aluminumalloys, steels (such as stainless steels), and the like) may be formedby forging, molding, casting, stamping, machining, and/or other knowntechniques. In another example, polymer or composite components, such ascarbon fiber-polymer composites, can be manufactured by a variety ofcomposite processing techniques, such as prepreg processing,powder-based techniques, injection molding, mold infiltration, and/orother known techniques.

The various figures in this application illustrate examples of ballstriking devices and portions thereof according to this invention. Whenthe same reference number appears in more than one drawing, thatreference number is used consistently in this specification and thedrawings to refer to the same or similar parts throughout.

At least some examples of ball striking devices according to thisinvention relate to golf club head structures, including heads forputter-type golf clubs. Such devices may include a one-piececonstruction or a multiple-piece construction. Example structures ofball striking devices according to this invention will be described indetail below in conjunction with FIGS. 1-24, and will be referred togenerally using reference numeral “100.”

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate an example of a ball striking device 100 in theform of a golf putter, in accordance with at least some examples of thisinvention. The ball striking device 100 includes a ball striking head102 and a shaft 104 connected to the ball striking head 102 andextending therefrom. The ball striking head 102 of the ball strikingdevice 100 of FIGS. 1-2 has a face member 128 that includes a face 112and a hosel 109 extending therefrom. The face member 128 may include oneor more structures connected to and/or located behind the face 112 thatmay be referred to as part of a “body” of the golf club head 102. Theball striking head 102 also has a rear member 130 connected to the facemember 128. In some embodiments, the head 102 may also have a resilientmaterial 140 positioned between the face member 128 and the rear member130, as shown in FIGS. 20-24 and described in greater detail below. Theface member 128, the rear member 130, and the resilient material 140 (ifpresent) may combine to define the golf club head body 107 in someembodiments. The shaft 104 may be connected to the body 107 at the hosel109, as shown in FIG. 1, and may include a grip (not shown) in someembodiments. Any desired hosel and/or head/shaft interconnectionstructure may be used without departing from this invention, includingconventional hosel or other head/shaft interconnection structures as areknown and used in the art, or an adjustable, releasable, and/orinterchangeable hosel or other head/shaft interconnection structure suchas those shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2009/0062029, filed on Aug. 28, 2007, U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2013/0184098, filed on Oct. 31, 2012, and U.S. Pat. No.8,533,060, issued Sep. 10, 2013, all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties and made parts hereof.

For reference, the head 102 generally has a golf club head body 107 witha top 116, a bottom or sole 118, a heel 120 (also called a heel side orheel edge) proximate the hosel 109, a toe 122 (also called a toe side ortoe edge) distal from the hosel 109, a front side 124, and a back orrear side 126. The shape and design of the head 102 may be partiallydictated by the intended use of the device 100. In the club 100 shown inFIGS. 1-2, the head 102 has a wide, narrow or short face 112, as theclub 100 is designed for use as a putter, intended to hit the ball shortdistances in a rolling manner. It is understood that the head 102 may beconfigured as a different type of ball striking device in otherembodiments, including other types of putters or similar devices. Inother applications, such as for a different type of golf club, the headmay be designed to have different dimensions and configurations. If, forexample, the head 102 is configured as a driver, the club head may havea volume of at least 400 cc, and in some structures, at least 450 cc, oreven at least 460 cc. When configured as a fairway wood head, the clubhead may have a volume of at least 120-230 cc, and when configured as ahybrid club head, the club head may have a volume of at least 85-140 cc.Other appropriate sizes for other club heads may be readily determinedby those skilled in the art.

The face 112 is located at the front 124 of the face member 128, and hasa striking surface or ball striking surface 110 located thereon. Theball striking surface 110 is configured to face a ball in use (notshown), and is adapted to strike the ball when the device 100 is set inmotion, such as by swinging. As shown, the ball striking surface 110occupies most of the face 112. The face 112 may include some curvaturein the top to bottom and/or heel to toe directions (e.g., bulge and rollcharacteristics), and may also include functional face grooves, as isknown and is conventional in the art. In other embodiments, the surface110 may occupy a different proportion of the face 112, or the facemember 128 may have multiple ball striking surfaces 110 thereon. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, the ball striking surface 110 has littleto no incline or loft angle, to cause the ball to roll when struck. Inother embodiments, the ball striking surface 110 may have an incline orloft angle, to launch the ball on a trajectory, such as for a wood-typeor iron-type club head. Additionally, the face 112 may have one or moreinternal or external inserts in some embodiments.

It is understood that the face member 128 and/or the hosel 109 can beformed as a single piece or as separate pieces that are joined together,and that the head 102 may have an external hosel 109 structure in oneembodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, as well as theembodiments shown in FIGS. 3-24, the face member 128, including the face112 and potentially the hosel 109, are formed of a single, integralpiece. In other embodiments, the face member 128 may be formed ofmultiple pieces, such as by using an insert to form all or part of theface 112, or a separate body member or members connected behind the face112. Such multiple pieces may be joined using an integral joiningtechnique, such as welding, cementing, or adhesively joining, or otherknown techniques, including many mechanical joining techniques, such asreleasable mechanical engagement techniques. Further, the hosel 109 mayalso be formed as a separate piece, which may be joined using these orother techniques, or may be connected to the rear member 130. In anexemplary embodiment, the face 112 may include a face insert (not shown)that forms at least a portion of the ball striking surface 110,including inserts as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication2010/0234127, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entiretyand made part hereof.

The face member 128 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 has a face portion160 that defines at least a portion of the face 112 and arearwardly-extending portion or rear portion 161 that extends rearwardlyfrom the face portion 160. The face portion 160 generally defines atleast a portion of the striking surface 110, which may also be partiallydefined by a face insert, if present. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.1-2, the rear side 127 of the face member 128 has a rear surface 131opposite the striking surface 110. The rear side 127 may be partially orentirely defined on the face portion 160 of the face member 128 in oneembodiment, and may be considered to be a rear surface of the face 112in the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. The face portion 160 mayalso have one or more rear cavities (not shown) in the rear side 127 inone embodiment. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the face member 128 andthe rear member 130 each forms at least a portion of the sole 118.Additionally, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the rear portion 161 has asignificantly smaller width (heel-to-toe) than the face portion 160, butmay have a different width (including near or equal to the width of theface portion 160) in another embodiment.

The ball striking device 100 may include a shaft 104 connected to orotherwise engaged with the ball striking head 102, as shown in FIG. 1.The shaft 104 is adapted to be gripped by a user to swing the ballstriking device 100 to strike the ball, and may have a grip (not shown)for this purpose. The shaft 104 can be formed as a separate piececonnected to the head 102, such as by connecting to the hosel 109, asdescribed above. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the shaft104 may be an integral piece with the head 102, and/or the head 102 maynot contain a hosel 109 or may contain an internal hosel structure.Still further embodiments are contemplated without departing from thescope of the invention. The shaft 104 may be constructed from one ormore of a variety of materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers,composites, or wood. In some exemplary embodiments, the shaft 104, or atleast portions thereof, may be constructed of a metal, such as stainlesssteel, or a composite, such as a carbon/graphite fiber-polymercomposite. However, it is contemplated that the shaft 104 may beconstructed of different materials without departing from the scope ofthe invention, including conventional materials that are known and usedin the art.

In general, the head 102 of the ball striking device 100 has a rearmember 130 (which may also be referred to as a “weight member”)connected to the face member 128 at the rear side 127 of the face member128, and the rear member 130 has a front surface 135 that faces andconfronts the rear side 127 of the face member 128. In general, the rearmember 130 is configured to create a mass damping effect upon impact ofthe ball on the striking surface 110, including an off-center impact.The rear member 130 may be connected to the face member 128 in a numberof different configurations that permit the mass damping to occurbetween the rear member 130 and the face member 128, several of whichare described below and shown in the FIGS. In other embodiments, therear member 130 may be differently configured, and/or the head 102 maycontain multiple rear members 130. For example, the rear members 130 asshown in the FIGS. may be divided into two, three, or more separate rearmembers 130 in another embodiment, which may be connected to the facemember 128 in similar or different configurations. The rear member 130in all embodiments may affect or influence the center of gravity of thehead 102. Additionally, the rear member 130 (and other weight membersdescribed herein) may be made of any of a variety of differentmaterials, which may be selected based on their weight or density. Forexample, the rear member 130 may be made from a metallic material suchas stainless steel and/or tungsten, or may be made from other materials,for example polymers that may be doped with a heavier material (e.g.tungsten). The rear member 130 may also include portions that may bemore heavily weighted than others, and may include weighted inserts orother inserts. FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment where the rear member130 has fixed weights 172 in the perimeter weighting portions 132, whichare illustrated in this embodiment to be removable threaded weights, aswell as one or more movable weights 173.

The rear member 130 may have various different dimensions and structuralproperties in various embodiments. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2,the rear member 130 has a heel end 136 and a toe end 137, with a lateralwidth defined between the heel and toe ends 136, 137. The lateral widthof the rear member 130 is the same or approximately the same as thelateral width of the face member 128, measured between the heel 120 andtoe 122; however, in other embodiments, these widths may be different.Additionally, the rear member 130 has its mass distributedproportionally more toward the heel and toe ends 136, 137, so that therear member 130 has increased mass at the heel and toe ends 136, 137relative to the center portion 167. In one embodiment, the rear member130 has enlarged portions 132 (also referred to as perimeter weightingportions) at the heel and toe ends 136, 137 that have increased size inat least one dimension relative to the center portion 167, such as theembodiment of FIGS. 1-2, where the heel and toe ends 136, 137 have athickness (top to bottom) and a cross-sectional area that are greaterthan at the center portion 167. In this configuration, the rear member130 includes two perimeter weighting portions 132 at the heel and toeends 136, 137 and a recessed portion or thinned portion 133 havingdecreased top-to-bottom thickness at the center portion 167 of the rearmember 130. The thicker ends 136, 137 and thinned portion 133 at thecenter of the rear member 130 are formed by recession of both the topsurface 165 and bottom surface 164 of the rear member 130 in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-2, but may be accomplished by recession of onlyone of the bottom and top surfaces 164, 165 in other embodiments, or byother configurations. In other embodiments, the perimeter weightingmembers 132 may additionally or alternately have an enlarged width(front to rear). In another embodiment, increased weight at the heel andtoe ends 136, 137 can be achieved by the use of heavier and/or moredense material at the heel and toe ends 136, 137 than at the centerportion 167. For example, the heel and toe ends 136, 137 may havepermanent or removable weights 172 as described herein, or the heel andtoe ends 136, 137 may be formed of a different (i.e., more dense)material than the center portion 167. A combination of any of theseabove techniques for perimeter weighting may be used in furtherembodiments. This perimeter-weighted configuration can achieve greaterperimeter weight distribution and increased moment of inertia for theclub head 102 and for the rear member 130.

The rear member 130 in one embodiment may be positioned so that the CGof the rear member 130 is substantially aligned with the CG of the facemember 128. In one embodiment, the CGs of the rear member 130 and theface member 128 are laterally aligned, and these respective CGs mayadditionally or alternately be vertically aligned in another embodiment.In one embodiment, the face member 128 may have alignment indicia (notshown) aligned with the CG of the face member 128 and/or the CG of therear member 130; however this indicia may be absent or differentlylocated in other embodiments.

The rear member 130 may have varying sizes and/or densities in differentembodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the rear member 130 maymake up about 25% or more of the total weight of the head 102, or about25-45% of the total weight of the head 102 in another embodiment. In anexample embodiment, the total weight of the head 102 may be about 340 g,with the rear member 130 having a weight of about 100 g.

The head 102 further includes a connection assembly 150 that connectsthe face member 128 to the rear member 130 in a configuration thatpermits the rear member 130 to create a mass damping effect upon animpact on the striking surface 110. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, theconnection assembly 150 includes a torsion bar 151 having a firstconnection point 152 connected to the face member 128 and a secondconnection point 153 connected to the rear member 130. The torsion baris configured to generate a torsional force between the first and secondconnection points 152, 153 when the face member 128 begins to deflectrearward at the heel 120 or toe 122. The torsion bar 151 may berotationally fixed with respect to the face member 128 at the firstconnection point 152, and/or the torsion bar 151 may be rotationallyfixed with respect to the rear member 130 at the second connection point153, in one embodiment. Additionally, in one embodiment, the torsion bar151 may form the most rigid point of connection between the face member128 and the rear member 130, and the embodiments in FIGS. 1-24 areconfigured in this way. In a further embodiment, the torsion bar 151 maybe the only point of connection between the face member 128 and the rearmember 130, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-10, 12-14, and 19.

The torsion bar 151 may be aligned or substantially aligned with the CGof the rear member 130 or the CG of the face member 128, or both. In oneembodiment, the CGs of the rear member 130 and the face member 128 arelaterally aligned, and the torsion bar 151 is laterally aligned withboth of these CG's. Additionally, the torsion bar 151 and the CG's ofthe rear member 130 and the face member 128 are all substantiallyequidistant from the heel 120 and toe 122 of the face member 128 and/orsubstantially equidistant from the heel end 136 and toe end 137 of therear member 130, in one embodiment. The embodiments in FIGS. 1-24 areall configured in this manner. Further, in one embodiment, the secondconnection point 153 may be substantially vertically aligned with the CGof the rear member 130 and/or the face member 128, such as in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-2. In other embodiments, the torsion bar 151 maynot be aligned with the CG's of the rear member 130 and/or the facemember 128. The “aligned” configuration as illustrated, e.g., in FIGS.1-2 produces relatively equal responses on impacts more toward the heel120 as compared to impacts more toward the toe. A configuration wherethe torsion bar 151 is not laterally aligned with the CG's of the rearmember 130 and/or the face member 128 can produce greater or lesserresponses for impacts toward the heel 120 as compared to impacts towardthe toe 122. This differential response can be used for customizationpurposes, such as for a golfer with an off-balanced swing/stroke orbased on the hitting pattern of the golfer.

In one example embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the torsion bar 151 isin the form of a pin that is rotationally fixed to the face member 128and the rear member 130. As used herein, two components may beconsidered to be “rotationally fixed” to each other if no significantrotation of one component with respect to the other can be accomplishedwithout deformation (e.g., bending, twisting, flexing, etc.) of one orboth components. It is understood that “deformation” may refer toelastic deformation, plastic deformation, fracture, or any other type ofdeformation. In various embodiments, this rotational fixing can beaccomplished by a variety of different structures, including integralforming; a bonding and/or integral joining technique, such as welding,brazing, soldering, adhesive, etc.; a male/female connection using afriction-fit or interference fit; a male/female connection using anon-circular pin and receiver, various interlocking structures, such asa tab-and-slot structure or a gear tooth structure, various fasteners,as well as combinations of these structures and other structures thatcan accomplish rotational fixing. FIGS. 15-18 illustrate differentembodiments of male/female connection structures that may be used, whichare described in greater detail below. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.1-2, the torsion bar 151 is rotationally fixed to the face member 128 atthe top and bottom ends of the torsion bar 151, forming two firstconnection points 152. The torsion bar 151 in FIGS. 1-2 is illustratedas being bonded (e.g., by butt-welding) at both ends to the rear portion161 of the face member 128 to accomplish this rotational fixing. Inother embodiments, the torsion bar 151 in FIGS. 1-2 may be connected ina different manner, such as using a non-circular pin-and-hole connectionat one or both ends, or a different structure. In the configuration ofFIGS. 1-2, the rear portion 161 includes a top member 161A and a bottommember 161B, with the torsion bar 151 spanning between the top andbottom members 161A, 161B, and the second connection point 153 with therear member 130 being positioned between the two first connection points152.

The second connection point 152 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 utilizesa connection member 155 connected to the front surface of the rearmember 130 and extending forwardly from the rear member 130, forming aT-joint weld connection with the torsion bar 151. The second connectionpoint 152 is located at about a mid-length area of the torsion bar 151and thus, this mid-length portion of the torsion bar 151 is rotationallyfixed with respect to the rear member 130. The connection member 155 maybe connected to the torsion bar 151 using a different structure in otherembodiments, such as a pin extending through the torsion bar laterally(e.g., a clevis connection) or front-to-rear, a hole extending throughthe connection member 155 that receives the torsion bar 151, or otherconnection. Additionally, the connection member 155 is an integralportion of the rear member 130 in this embodiment, but may be connectedto the rear member 130 in a different configuration in anotherembodiment.

The torsion bar 151 connected as shown in FIGS. 1-2 and described aboveis capable of twisting to permit the rear member 130 to create the massdamping effect upon impact on the striking face 110. The degree of massdamping created by the torsion bar 151, and the resultant degree ofresistance to deflection of the face member 128 depends on many factors.For example, the mechanical properties and configuration of the torsionbar 151 affect the degree of twisting and deflection, including thedimensions of the torsion bar 151, such as thickness, cross-sectionalarea, or moment of area; material properties, such as shear modulus;rotational stiffness (which incorporates both structural and materialproperties); etc. As another example, the weight distribution and/ormoment of inertia of the rear member 130, particularly relative to theposition of the torsion bar 151, may also affect the degree of massdamping. The structure and properties of the torsion bar 151 and therear member 130 can therefore be engineered to provide a desired amountof mass damping upon impacts. It is understood that the resilientmaterial 140 and the properties thereof may also affect the degree ofmass damping in an embodiment where the resilient material 140 isincorporated.

FIG. 20 illustrates another embodiment of a club head 102 that isidentical to the head 102 in FIGS. 1-2, and which also includes aresilient material 140 located between the rear member 130 and the facemember 128. In this embodiment, the head 102 includes two resilientmembers 145 that are each at least partially formed of the resilientmaterial 140, with one resilient member 145 located at the heel 120 andanother located at the toe 122. It is understood that an adhesive orother bonding material may be utilized to connect the resilient material140 to the face member 128 and/or the rear member 130, and that otherconnection techniques may be used in other embodiments, such asmechanical fasteners, interlocking designs (e.g. dovetail, tab and slot,etc.) and others. The resilient material 140 may be connected to theface member 128, the rear member 130, or both, in various embodiments.The resilient material 140 may be a natural or synthetic rubbermaterial, a polyurethane-based elastomer, or other elastomeric materialin one embodiment, but may be a different type of resilient material inanother embodiment, including various types of resilient polymers, suchas foam materials or other rubber-like materials. Additionally, theresilient material 140 may have resiliency, such that the resilientmaterial 140 compresses in response to an applied force, and returns toits previous (uncompressed) state when the force is removed. Theresilient material 140 may further have some viscoelasticity, such thatenergy may be lost in returning to the uncompressed state. The resilientmaterial 140 may have a strength or hardness that is lower than, and maybe significantly lower than, the strength/hardness of the material ofthe face member 128 and/or the rear member 130. In one embodiment, theresilient material 140 may have a hardness of from 30-90 Shore A orapproximately 30-90 Shore A. In another embodiment, the resilientmaterial 140 may have a hardness of approximately 50-70 Shore A, or fromapproximately 70 Shore A to approximately 70 Shore D. The hardness maybe determined, for example, by using ASTM D-2240 or another applicabletest with a Shore durometer. In an example embodiment, the resilientmaterial 140 may be a polyurethane-based elastomer with a hardness ofapproximately 65 Shore A. Further, in one embodiment, the resilientmaterial may have compression properties (based on a 0.56 shape factorand determined using ASTM D-575) as follows: 30 psi for 5% deflection,70 psi for 10% deflection, 110 psi for 15% deflection, 160 psi for 20%deflection, and 220 psi for 25% deflection. In one embodiment, theresilient material 140 may have sufficient resiliency to achieve atleast half of a mass damping cycle before the ball leaves the face 112during impact. Still further, the resilient material 140 may be anymaterial described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2013/0137533, filed Nov. 30, 2011, which application is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety and made part hereof.

The resilient material 140 may have a hardness and/or a modulus that issignificantly smaller than the material(s) forming the face member 128and the rear member 130. For example, in one embodiment, a resilientmaterial as described herein (e.g., polyurethane or elastomer) may havea modulus (Young's) of up to 5000 MPa or 1000-5000 MPa, in variousembodiments. Metal materials that may be utilized to make the facemember 128 and/or the rear member 130 in one embodiment (e.g., stainlesssteel or titanium alloys) may have a modulus of 100-200 GPa. In variousembodiments, a metallic material of the face member 128 and/or the rearmember 130 may have a modulus that is at least 20× greater, at least 50×greater, or at least 100× greater than the modulus of the resilientmaterial 140. An FRP or other composite material that may be utilized tomake the face member 128 and/or the rear member 130 in one embodiment(e.g., carbon fiber reinforced epoxy) may have a modulus of at least 50GPa. In various embodiments, a composite material of the face member 128and/or the rear member 130 may have a modulus that is at least 10×greater, at least 20× greater, or at least 50× greater than the modulusof the resilient material 140. It is understood that the metallic andcomposite materials described above may form a portion, a majorityportion, or the substantial entirety of the face member 128 or the rearmember 130. Other materials having other moduli may be used in otherembodiments.

The properties of the resilient material 140, such as hardness (ormodulus) and/or resiliency, may be designed for use in a specificconfiguration. For example, the hardness and/or resiliency of theresilient material 140 may be designed to ensure that an appropriatedegree of mass damping is created, which may be influenced by parameterssuch as material thickness, mass of various components (including therear member 130 and/or the face member 128), intended use of the head102, and others. The hardness and resiliency may be achieved throughtechniques such as material selection and any of a variety of treatmentsperformed on the material that can affect the hardness or resiliency ofthe resilient material, as discussed elsewhere herein. The hardness andthickness of the resilient material may be tuned to the weight of aparticular rear member 130 and/or the properties of the torsion bar 151.For example, heavier weights and/or more flexible torsion bars 151 mayrequire harder resilient material 140, and lighter weights and/orstiffer torsion bars 151 may require softer resilient material 140.Using a thinner resilient material 140 may also necessitate the use of asofter material, and a thicker resilient material 140 may be usable withharder materials. In a configuration where the resilient material 140 isa polyurethane-based material having a hardness of approximately 65Shore A, the resilient material 140 may have a thickness between therear member 130 and the rear side 127 of the face member 128 ofapproximately 5 mm in one embodiment, or approximately 3 mm in anotherembodiment, and generally greater than approximately 1 mm (e.g.,approximately 1-5 mm or 1-3 mm).

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, as well as the other embodimentsin FIGS. 11 and 21-24 discussed below, each resilient member 145 may beformed as a single, integral piece of the resilient material 140;however, the resilient member(s) 145 may be formed of separate pieces invarious embodiments. The resilient member(s) 145 and/or the resilientmaterial 140 may be formed of multiple components as well, includingcomponents having different hardness in different regions, includingdifferent hardness distributions. For example, the resilient member(s)145 and/or the resilient material 140 may be formed of an exterior shellthat has a different (higher or lower) hardness than the interior, suchas through being made of a different material (e.g. through co-molding)and/or being treated using a technique to achieve a different hardness.Examples of techniques for achieving a shell with a different hardnessinclude plasma or corona treatment, adhesively bonding a film to theexterior, coating the exterior (such as by spraying or dipping). If acast or other polyurethane-based material is used, the resilientmaterial 140 may have a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film bonded tothe exterior, a higher or lower hardness polyurethane coating applied byspraying or dipping, or another polymer coating (e.g. a thermosetpolymer), which may be applied, for example, by dipping the resilientmaterial into an appropriate polymer solution with an appropriatesolvent. Additionally, the resilient member(s) 145 and/or the resilientmaterial 140 may have different hardness or compressibility in differentlateral or vertical portions thereof, which can create different massdamping effects in different locations. For example, the resilientmember(s) 145 and/or the resilient material 140 may have a higher orlower hardness in proximate the heel 120 and/or the toe 122, which maybe achieved by techniques described herein, such as treatments or use ofdifferent materials and/or separate pieces. In this configuration, thehardness of the resilient material 140 may be customized for use by aparticular golfer or a particular golfer's hitting pattern. Similarly,an asymmetrical resilient member 145 may also be used to createdifferent mass damping effects, by providing a larger or smaller amountof material at specific portions of the face member 128. Such anasymmetrical resilient member 145 may also be used to providecustomizability. A variable-hardness or asymmetrical resilient member145 may also be used in conjunction with an offset connection point, asdiscussed below, for further customizability. Other embodimentsdescribed herein may also employ a resilient material 140 that has avariable hardness or asymmetrical features. A single-component ormulti-component resilient member 145 and/or resilient material 140 maybe manufactured by co-molding, and may be co-molded in connection withthe face member 128 and/or the rear member 130.

As seen in FIG. 20, and also in FIGS. 11 and 21-24, the resilientmaterial 140 is connected between the rear member 130 and the facemember 128. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the front surface 135 of therear member 130 and the rear side 127 of the face member 128 are engagedby the resilient material 140. Additionally, the rear member 130 isspaced from the face member 128, and the resilient material 140 at leastpartially fills the spaces 142 between the front surface 135 of the rearmember 130 and the rear side 127 of the face member 128. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 20-24, the resilient material 140is substantially flush with the outer peripheries of the face member 128and/or the rear member 130 around the adjacent portions of the peripheryof the head 102. In other embodiments, the face member 128, the rearmember 130, and/or the resilient material 140 (or portions of suchmembers) may not be flush or substantially flush around at least aportion of the periphery of the head 102. The resilient material 140 maybe positioned on both opposite lateral sides of the center of gravity(CG) of the face member 128 and/or the CG of the rear member 130, andmay be symmetrically positioned on opposite lateral sides of these CG's,such as shown in FIGS. 11 and 20-24.

The rear member 130 may be configured such that a mass damping effect iscreated during impact, including an off-center impact on the strikingsurface 110. The resilient material 140 (if present) can serve to enablethis mass damping effect during impact. Additionally, the rear member130 may also be configured to resist deflection and/or twisting of theface member 128 upon impact of the ball on the striking surface 110. Therotational stiffness of the torsion bar 151 and the resiliency andcompression of the resilient material 140 (if present) permits this massdamping effect to be produced. As described above, the mass of the rearmember 130 exerts a torsional force on the torsion bar 151, and alsocompresses the resilient material 140 (if present), causing the torsionbar 151 and the resilient material 140 (if present) to create this massdamping effect. The torsion bar 151 exerts a torsional force on the facemember 128 located at or near the first connection point 152, and theresilient material 140 (if present) compresses at the heel 120 or toe122. It is possible that the resilient material 140 on the opposite sideof the face member 128 as the impact occurs may also be in tensionduring impact as well, depending on the connection of the resilientmaterial 140 with the face member 128 and the rear member 130. Theresilient material 140 may compress and return to its uncompressed, oreven beyond its uncompressed state, repeatedly after impact. Eachcompression-decompression cycle will be generally smaller than aprevious cycle, if applicable, as a result of hysteresis losses withinthe resilient material 140, resulting in the mass damping effect. Theactions achieving the mass damping effect occur between the beginningand the end of the impact, which in one embodiment of a golf putter maybe between 4-5 ms.

In the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the rear member 130 may achievea greater or smaller mass damping effect depending on the location ofthe impact on the striking surface 110. For example, in this embodiment,upon an off-center impact of the ball centered on the heel side 120, theface member 128 tends to twist and deflect rearwardly at the heel 120.As another example, upon an off-center impact of the ball centered onthe toe side 122, the face member 128 tends to twist and deflectrearwardly at the toe 122. As the face member 128 begins to deflectrearwardly, the mass damping effect created by the rear member 130during impact resists this deflection. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2,on a heel-side impact, at least some of the mass damping effect may becreated by the rear member 130 exerting an initial clockwise (viewedfrom above) torsional force located at the torsion bar 151 duringimpact. Likewise, on a toe-side impact, at least some of the massdamping effect may be created by the rear member 130 exerting an initialcounter-clockwise torsional force located at the torsion bar 151 duringimpact. This initial torsional force typically has a moment that isopposed to the moment exerted about the torsion bar 151 by the impact ofthe ball on the face 112. The initial torsional force exerted by thetorsion bar 151 may be as described above, however, the torsional forcemay cycle repeatedly after impact, i.e., cycling between clockwise andcounterclockwise forces. Each cycle will be generally smaller than aprevious cycle, if applicable, as a result of hysteresis losses withinthe post, resulting in the mass damping effect.

As described above, it is understood that the degree of potential momentcausing deflection of the face member 128 may increase as the impactlocation diverges from the center of gravity of the face member 128. Inone embodiment, the mass damping effect created by the rear member 130may also increase as the impact location diverges from the center ofgravity of the face member 128, to provide increased resistance to suchdeflection of the face member 128. In other words, the mass dampingeffect of the rear member 130 and the force exerted on the face member128 by the rear member 130, through the torsion bar 151 and theresilient material 140 (if present), may be incremental and directlyrelative/proportional to the distance the impact is made from theoptimal impact point (e.g. the lateral center point of the strikingsurface 110 and/or the CG of the face member 128, in exemplaryembodiments). The mass damping effect between the rear member 130 andthe face member 128 can reduce the degree of twisting of the face 112and keep the face 112 more square upon impacts, including off-centerimpacts. Additionally, the mass damping effect can minimize energy losson off-center impacts, resulting in more consistent ball distance onimpacts anywhere on the face 112.

FIGS. 3-6 illustrate another embodiment of a ball striking head in theform of a putter-type golf club head 102, which contains many componentsand features that are similar to the features described above withrespect to the head 102 of FIGS. 1-2. FIGS. 7-10 illustrate anotherembodiment of a ball striking head in the form of a putter-type golfclub head 102, which contains many components and features that aresimilar to the features described above with respect to the head 102 ofFIGS. 1-2. FIGS. 11-14 illustrate further embodiments of ball strikingheads in the form of putter-type golf club heads 102, each of whichcontains many components and features that are similar to the featuresdescribed above with respect to the head 102 of FIGS. 1-2. Further,FIGS. 20-24 illustrate embodiments similar or identical to theembodiments of FIGS. 1-10 and 12-14, each having a resilient material140 positioned between the face member 128 and the rear member 130.Description of some such similar or shared components that have alreadybeen described above may be simplified or eliminated for the sake ofbrevity in the description below. Thus, the embodiments of FIGS. 3-14and 20-24 are generally described herein with respect to the differencesthat exist between such club heads 102 and the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2.The club heads 102 of FIGS. 3-14 and 20-24 generally function in thesame manner as described herein with respect to the head 102 of FIGS.1-2. For example, the configurations of the heads 102 in FIGS. 3-14 and20-24 may achieve mass damping effects between the rear member 130 andthe face member 128 in a manner similar to that described herein withrespect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2.

The club head 102 in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-6 is structurally similarto the club head 102 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-2, andgenerally may include any of the features (including alternateembodiments) described herein with respect to FIGS. 1-2. The face member128 of the head 102 in FIGS. 3-6 has a rear portion 161 that is formedas a sole member extending rearward from the face portion 160 of theface member 128 and forming at least a portion of the sole 118 of thehead 102. The rear portion 161 has a top surface 162 and a bottomsurface 163 that forms a portion of the sole 118. The rear member 130 ispositioned above the rear portion 161 and behind the rear side 127 ofthe face member 128, such that an underside 164 of the rear member 130confronts the top side 162 of the rear portion 161 of the face member128. The rear portion 161 of the face member 128 also serves as asupport for the connection assembly 150 in this embodiment. The rearmember 130 in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-6 is configured with perimeterweighting members 132 with a thinned portion 133 near the center.

As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the connection assembly 150 in this embodimentincludes a torsion bar 151 is connected to the rear portion 161 andextends upwardly from the top surface 162 of the rear portion 161 toconnect to the rear member 130. The torsion bar 151 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 3-6 is configured as a non-circular (e.g., hexagonal)cross-section, and is connected to and rotationally fixed with the rearportion 161 of the face member 128 by being received in a complementaryreceiver 156 in the rear portion 161, to form the first connection point152. The torsion bar 151 in this embodiment is also connected to androtationally fixed with the rear member 161 by being received in acomplementary receiver 156 in the rear member 130, to form the secondconnection point 152. The receiver 156 in the rear portion 161 of theface member 128 is a blind hole in this embodiment, and the receiver 156in the rear member 130 extends completely through the rear member 130.The connections between the torsion bar 151 and the face member 128 andrear member 130 may further include a connection mechanism as describedherein, such as a bonding material, fastener, etc. Alternateconfigurations for connection and/or rotational fixing can be used inother embodiments. The torsion bar 151 and the connection points 152,153 are aligned laterally with the CG of the face member 128 and therear member 130 in this embodiment.

The club head 102 in the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 is structurallysimilar to the club head 102 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-2,and generally may include any of the features (including alternateembodiments) described herein with respect to FIGS. 1-2. The face member128 of the head 102 in FIGS. 3-6 has a rear portion 161 that extendsrearward from the face portion 160 of the face member 128, and the rearportion 161 has a top surface 162 and a bottom surface 163 that isspaced upwardly from the sole 118. The rear member 130 is positionedbelow the rear portion 161 and behind the rear side 127 of the facemember 128, and the rear member 130 is suspended from the rear portion161 of the face member 128. In this configuration, a top side 165 of therear member 130 confronts the bottom surface 163 of the rear portion 161of the face member 128, and the underside 164 of the rear member 130forms a portion of the sole 118. The rear portion 161 of the face member128 also serves as a support for the connection assembly 150 in thisembodiment. The rear member 130 in the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 isconfigured with perimeter weighting members 132 with a thinned portion133 near the center. The thicker ends 136, 137 and thinned portion 133at the center of the rear member 130 in this embodiment are formed byrecession of the bottom surface 164 of the rear member 130 only.

As shown in FIGS. 9-10, the connection assembly 150 in this embodimentincludes a torsion bar 151 is connected to the rear portion 161 andextends downwardly from the underside 163 of the rear portion 161 toconnect to the rear member 130. The torsion bar 151 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 7-10 is configured as a non-circular (e.g., hexagonal)cross-section, and is connected to and rotationally fixed with the rearportion 161 of the face member 128 by being received in a complementaryreceiver 156 in the rear portion 161, to form the first connection point152. The torsion bar 151 in this embodiment is also connected to androtationally fixed with the rear member 130 by being received in acomplementary receiver 156 in the rear member 130, to form the secondconnection point 152. The receivers 156 in the rear portion 161 of theface member 128 and in the rear member 130 extend completely through therear member 130. The connections between the torsion bar 151 and theface member 128 and rear member 130 may further include a connectionmechanism as described herein, such as a bonding material, fastener,etc. A fastener 157 is illustrated as a retainer for the secondconnection point 153 in FIG. 10. Alternate configurations for connectionand/or rotational fixing can be used in other embodiments. The torsionbar 151 and the connection points 152, 153 are aligned laterally withthe CG of the face member 128 and the rear member 130 in thisembodiment.

The club head 102 in the embodiment of FIG. 11 is structurally similarto the club head 102 described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, andgenerally may include any of the features (including alternateembodiments) described herein with respect to FIGS. 3-6 (includingfeatures described with respect to FIGS. 1-2). The rear member 130 inthe embodiment of FIG. 11 has an elongated base portion 170 that iselongated in the heel-toe direction, with two legs 171 extending fromthe base portion 170 toward the face member 128 at the heel and toesides 136, 137 of the rear member 130. A resilient material 140 asdescribed herein is configured as two resilient members 145 positionedbetween the legs 171 of the rear member 130 and the rear side 127 of theface member 128, and engages the legs 171 and the rear side 127 of theface member 128. The resilient material 140 functions as describedherein with respect to creation of the mass damping effect.

The club head 102 in the embodiment of FIG. 12 is structurally similarto the club head 102 described above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, andgenerally may include any of the features (including alternateembodiments) described herein with respect to FIGS. 3-6 (includingfeatures described with respect to FIGS. 1-2). The rear member 130 inthe embodiment of FIG. 12 has a plurality of weights, including one ormore fixed weights 172 and/or one or more moveable weights 173. As shownin FIG. 12, the rear member 130 in this embodiment has two fixed weights172 in the perimeter weighting portions 132, near the heel and toe ends136, 137 of the rear member 130. These fixed weights are illustrated inthis embodiment as removable threaded weights. These removable fixedweights 172 may be interchangeable with each other and with otherweights 172 having different densities or weighting configurations, inorder to adjust the weight distribution (i.e., CG, MOI, etc.) of therear member 130. The fixed weights 172 may be in a different form inanother embodiment, including various permanent and removableconfigurations, such as cavities that are filled with a weightingmaterial, e.g., a polymer material doped with tungsten or other heavymaterial, weights 172 that are bonded to the rear member 130, weightsthat connect to the rear member using a fastener or other removableconnection, etc. The embodiment of FIG. 12 also includes at least onemoveable weight 173, which is positioned on a track 174 to allow slidingin the heel-toe direction in order to alter the weight distribution(i.e., CG, MOI, etc.) of the rear member 130. In other embodiments, thehead 102 may include other moveable weights 173, such as additionalweights 173 on the same track 174, additional tracks 174, and/ordifferent orientations, including tracks 174 that may allow movement inthe front-rear direction or other directions. It is understood that theweight(s) 173 may be moveable and fixable in the track(s) 174 via knownmechanisms such as threading and clamping configurations, and mayfurther be removable from the track(s) 174.

The club head 102 in the embodiment of FIGS. 13-14 is structurallysimilar to the club head 102 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-2,and generally may include any of the features (including alternateembodiments) described herein with respect to FIGS. 1-2. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 13-14, the connection assembly 150 includes atorsion bar 151 that is rotationally fixed to the face member 128 at thetop and bottom ends of the torsion bar 151, forming two first connectionpoints 152. The torsion bar 151 in FIGS. 13-14 is illustrated as beingbonded (e.g., by butt-welding) at both ends to the face member 128 toaccomplish this rotational fixing. As shown in FIG. 14, the rear side127 of the face member 128 has a rear cavity 154, and the torsion bar151 is connected to top and bottom surfaces 154A,B of the rear cavity154 and spans across the rear cavity 154. In other embodiments, thetorsion bar 151 in FIGS. 1-2 may be connected in a different manner,such as using a non-circular pin-and-hole connection at one or bothends, or a different structure. Additionally, in the embodiment of FIGS.13-14, the second connection point 153 with the rear member 130 ispositioned between the two first connection points 152. The secondconnection point 153 in the embodiment of FIGS. 13-14 utilizes aconnection member 155 connected to the front surface of the rear member130 and extending forwardly from the rear member 130 to connect with thetorsion bar 151. In this configuration, the connection member 155extends into the rear cavity 154, and a portion of the connection member155 is received in the rear cavity 154. The second connection point 153in FIGS. 13-14 is located at about a mid-length area of the torsion bar151, and the mid-length portion of the torsion bar 151 is rotationallyfixed with respect to the rear member 130. As shown in FIGS. 13-14, theconnection member 155 in this embodiment has a receiver 156 in the formof a hole extending completely through the connection member 155. Thereceiver 156 in this embodiment receives the torsion bar 151therethrough, such that the torsion bar 151 extends completely throughthe connection member 155. The rotational locking in this embodiment isaccomplished by complementary non-circular configurations of the torsionbar 151 and the receiver 156, although other rotational lockingstructures may be used in other embodiments. The connection member 155may be connected to the torsion bar 151 using a different structure inother embodiments, such as other connections described herein.

FIGS. 15-19 illustrate various embodiments of configurations of torsionbars 151 and connections of said torsion bars 151 to other members(generally referred to using reference number 166), e.g., the facemember 128, the rear member 130, or portions thereof. Generally, theseembodiments create a rotational locking arrangement between the torsionbar 151 and the member 166 to which it is connected. It is understoodthat any torsion bar 151 described herein may use one of theseconfigurations for connection to the face member 128 or the rear member130, or may use one of these configurations for connection to both theface member 128 and the rear member 130, or may use two differentconfigurations for connection to the face member 128 and the rear member130, or may use another connection mechanism not illustrated in FIGS.15-19. It is further understood that any of the embodiments describedherein, including the embodiments in FIGS. 1-14 and 20-24, may utilizeone or more of these connection mechanisms and/or any additionalconnection mechanisms that function to connect and/or rotationally lockthe relevant components together, for example, any other connectionmechanisms described elsewhere herein. For example, any of theseconnection mechanisms may further use additional components and/ortechniques to secure the connection between the torsion bar 151 and theother member 166, including welding or other bonding material ortechnique, fasteners, locking members, friction or interference fit,etc.

FIG. 15 illustrates a connection assembly 150 where the torsion bar 151is configured to be received in a receiver 156 on the other member 166,where both the torsion bar 151 and the receiver 156 have a complementarynon-circular cross-section. The embodiments in FIGS. 3-14 illustratedherein are illustrated as using this configuration for at least one ofthe first and second connection points 152, 153. The complementarynon-circular cross-sections rotationally lock the torsion bar 151 withthe other member 166. In this embodiment, the torsion bar 151 and thereceiver 156 are illustrated as having hexagonal configurations;however, it is understood that other non-circular configurations may beused, including both symmetrical (e.g., regular polygonal) andnon-symmetrical configurations.

FIG. 16 illustrates a connection assembly 150 using complementarynon-circular cross-sections, e.g., as described herein with respect toFIG. 15. In this embodiment, the torsion bar 151 and the receiver 156have non-symmetrical cross-sections, with the torsion bar 151 having atab or flange 158 and the receiver 156 having a corresponding notch 159that interlocks with the tab 158. Other asymmetrical interlockingstructures may be used, including tabs 158 and notches 159 that aredifferently configured and/or multiple tabs 158 and notches 159. Thisembodiment may therefore be considered to include at least one tab 158and at least one slot 159 configured for engaging and/or receiving thetab 158. For example, the torsion bar 151 and the receiver 156 may havea large number of tabs 158 and notches 159 in one embodiment, such as agear-teeth configuration.

FIGS. 17-18 illustrate connection assemblies 150 using a resilientmaterial 146 positioned between and separating the torsion bar 151 andthe receiver 156, such that the resilient material 146 permits thetorsion bar 151 to create the mass damping effect by flexing theresilient material 146. The mass damping in these embodiments is atleast partially provided by flexing of the resilient material 146, andin one embodiment, all or substantially all of the mass damping effectmay be provided through flexing of the resilient material 146. Thetorsion bar 151 may also flex to provide some of the mass damping effectin some embodiments. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, the resilientmaterial 146 is connected to an inner surface of the receiver 156 (e.g.,a gasket or similar structure), and defines an opening 147 that receivesand engages the torsion bar 151. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, theresilient material 146 is formed as a sleeve or lining 148 on thetorsion bar 151 that engages the inner surface of the receiver 156. Inboth FIGS. 17 and 18, at least a portion of the resilient material 146is positioned within the receiver 156 when the connection assembly 150is assembled. Additionally, the resilient material 146 is initiallyconnected to one of the torsion bar 151 and the receiver 156 before thetorsion bar 151 is inserted into the receiver 156 in both FIGS. 17 and18, although the resilient material may be subsequently connected to theother of the torsion bar 151 and the receiver 156 after the torsion bar151 is inserted into the receiver 156. Further, the resilient material146 and the corresponding components connected to and/or engaged by theresilient material may have non-circular cross-sections, such as in theembodiments of FIGS. 17-18. In other embodiments, the resilient material146 and associated components may have different shapes, structures, andorientations. The resilient material 146 may be any resilient materialdiscussed herein, including with respect to the resilient material 140of FIGS. 11 and 20-24.

FIG. 19 illustrates a connection assembly 150 where the torsion bar 151is integrally connected to the face member 128 and the rear member 130.It is understood that the torsion bar 151 in this embodiment, may beintegrally connected to only one of the face member 128 and the rearmember 130, and may be connected to the other using a differenttechnique as described herein. In one embodiment, this integralconnection can be formed by butt-welding or other welding configuration.In another embodiment, this integral connection can be formed byintegrally forming the face member 128 and/or the rear member 130 withthe torsion bar 151, such as by casting, forging, machining, or otherintegral forming technique or combination of such techniques.

FIGS. 21-24 illustrates additional embodiments of a club head 102 thatare identical to the heads 102 in FIGS. 3-10 and 12-14, and which alsoincludes a resilient material 140 located between the rear member 130and the face member 128. The embodiment of FIG. 21 is substantiallyidentical to the head 102 in FIGS. 3-6, and further includes theresilient material 140. The embodiment of FIG. 22 is substantiallyidentical to the head 102 in FIGS. 7-10, and further includes theresilient material 140. The embodiment of FIG. 23 is substantiallyidentical to the head 102 in FIG. 12, and further includes the resilientmaterial 140. The embodiment of FIG. 24 is substantially identical tothe head 102 in FIGS. 13-14, and further includes the resilient material140. The resilient material 140 in these embodiments is generallyconfigured and positioned in the same or similar manner as the resilientmaterial 140 in the embodiment of FIG. 20, as described above. Theconfiguration of the resilient material 140 in these embodiments mayfurther include any of the additional or alternate features describedherein.

It is understood that any of the embodiments of ball striking devices100, heads 102, face members 128, rear members 130, and other componentsdescribed herein may include any of the features described herein withrespect to other embodiments described herein, including structuralfeatures, functional features, and/or properties, unless otherwisenoted. It is understood that the specific sizes, shapes, orientations,and locations of various components of the ball striking devices 100 andheads 102 described herein are simply examples, and that any of thesefeatures or properties may be altered in other embodiments. Inparticular, any of the connecting members or structures shown anddescribed herein may be used in connection with any embodiment shownherein, to connect the face member 128 and the rear member 130.

Heads 102 incorporating the features disclosed herein may be used as aball striking device or a part thereof. For example, a golf club 100 asshown in FIG. 1 may be manufactured by attaching a shaft or handle 104to a head that is provided, such as the head 102 as described above. Asanother example, a golf club 100 as shown in FIG. 1 may be manufacturedby attaching a rear member 130 to a face member that is provided, suchas the face member 128 as described above. “Providing” the head, as usedherein, refers broadly to making an article available or accessible forfuture actions to be performed on the article, and does not connote thatthe party providing the article has manufactured, produced, or suppliedthe article or that the party providing the article has ownership orcontrol of the article. In other embodiments, different types of ballstriking devices can be manufactured according to the principlesdescribed herein. In one embodiment, a set of golf clubs can bemanufactured, where at least one of the clubs has a head according toone or more embodiments described herein. Such a set may include atleast one wood-type club, at least one iron-type club, and/or at leastone putter. For example, a set may include one or more wood-type golfclubs and one or more iron-type golf clubs, which may have differentloft angles, as well as one or more putters, with each club having ahead 102 as described above and shown in FIGS. 1-24. The various clubsin the set may have rear members 130 that may be slightly different inshape, size, location, orientation, etc., based on the loft angle of theclub. The various clubs may also have an added weight amount or weightdistribution (including CG location) that may be different based oncharacteristics such as the type and loft angle of the club.

Different rear members 130 and different locations, orientations, andconnections thereof, may produce different mass damping effects uponimpacts on the striking surface 110, et seq., including off-centerimpacts. Additionally, different rear members 130 and differentlocations, orientations, and connections thereof, may produce differenteffects depending on the location of the ball impact on the face 112.Accordingly, one or more clubs can be customized for a particular userby providing a club with a head as described above, with a rear member130 that is configured in at least one of its shape, size, location,orientation, etc., based on a hitting characteristic of the user, suchas a typical hitting pattern or swing speed. Customization may alsoinclude adding or adjusting weighting according to the characteristicsof the rear member 130 and the hitting characteristic(s) of the user.Still further embodiments and variations are possible, including furthertechniques for customization.

The ball striking devices described herein may be used by a user tostrike a ball or other object, such as by swinging or otherwise movingthe head 102 to strike the ball on the striking surface 110 of the face112. During the striking action, the face 112 impacts the ball, and oneor more rear members 130 may create a mass damping effect during theimpact, in any manner described above. In one embodiment, the rearmember(s) 130 may create an incrementally greater mass damping effectfor impacts that are farther from the desired impact point (e.g. theCG). As described below, the devices described herein, when used in thisor a comparable method, may assist the user in achieving more consistentaccuracy and distance of ball travel, as compared to other ball strikingdevices.

The various embodiments of ball striking heads with rear membersdescribed herein can provide mass damping effects upon impacts on thestriking face, which can assist in keeping the striking face more squarewith the ball, particularly on off-center impacts, which can in turnprovide more accurate ball direction. Additionally, the mass dampingeffect can reduce or minimize energy loss on off-center impacts,creating more consistent ball speed and distance. The mass dampingeffect may be incremental based on the distance of the impact away fromthe desired or optimal impact point. Further, the resilient material mayachieve some energy absorption or damping on center impacts (e.g.aligned with the center point and/or the CG of the face). As a result ofthe reduced energy loss on off-center hits, reduced twisting of the faceon off-center hits, and/or energy absorption on center hits that can beachieved by the heads as described above, greater consistency in bothlateral dispersion and distance dispersion can be achieved as comparedto typical ball striking heads of the same type, with impacts at variouslocations on the face. The ball striking heads described herein can alsoprovide dissipation of impact energy through the resilient material,which can reduce vibration of the club head and may improve feel for theuser. Still further, the connection members can be used to control theweighting of the club head and/or the rear member. Other benefits can berecognized and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examplesincluding presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variationsand permutations of the above described systems and methods. Thus, thespirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as setforth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ball striking device comprising: a face memberhaving a striking face configured for striking a ball and a rear sideopposite the striking face, the striking face having a heel portion anda toe portion; a rear member positioned behind the face member andconnected to the rear side of the face member, the rear member having aheel end and a toe end; and a connection assembly connecting the facemember to the rear member, wherein the connection assembly comprises atorsion bar having a first connection point connected to the face memberand rotationally fixed with respect to the face member, and a secondconnection point connected to the rear member and rotationally fixedwith respect to the rear member, wherein the torsion bar is configuredto create a mass damping effect upon an impact on the striking face,such that the torsion bar is configured to exert at least acounterclockwise torsional force on the striking face during the impacton the toe portion of the striking face and to exert at least aclockwise torsional force on the striking face during the impact on theheel portion of the striking face, when viewed from above, to create themass damping effect.
 2. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein thetorsion bar is the most rigid point of connection between the facemember and the rear member.
 3. The ball striking device of claim 1,wherein the torsion bar comprises a pin having a non-circularcross-section and being fixedly connected to one of the face member andthe rear member, and the connection assembly further comprises areceiver in the other of the face member and the rear member, thereceiver having a complementary non-circular cross-section and receivingthe pin therein, wherein the non-circular cross-section of the pin andthe complementary non-circular cross-section of the receiverrotationally fix the pin with respect to the receiver.
 4. The ballstriking device of claim 3, wherein the receiver comprises a blind hole.5. The ball striking device of claim 1, further comprising a resilientmaterial engaging the rear member and the rear side of the face memberand positioned between a front side of the rear member and the facemember on the heel end and the toe end of the rear member, wherein theresilient material has greater flexibility than the torsion bar.
 6. Theball striking device of claim 5, wherein the resilient material isconfigured to be compressed between the rear member and the face memberduring the impact on the striking face.
 7. The ball striking device ofclaim 1, wherein the torsion bar is welded to the face member at thefirst connection point and is welded to the rear member at the secondconnection point.
 8. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein thefirst connection point of the torsion bar is positioned substantiallyequidistant from a heel edge and a toe edge of the face member.
 9. Theball striking device of claim 1, wherein the first connection point ofthe torsion bar is generally aligned with a center of gravity of theface member.
 10. A golf putter comprising the ball striking device ofclaim 1, wherein the ball striking device is a golf putter head, and ashaft connected to the ball striking device.
 11. A ball striking devicecomprising: a face member having a striking face configured for strikinga ball and a rear side opposite the striking face, the striking facehaving a heel portion and a toe portion; a rear member positioned behindthe face member and connected to the rear side of the face member, therear member having a heel end and a toe end; and a connection assemblyconnecting the face member to the rear member, wherein the connectionassembly comprises a torsion bar connected to the face member and therear member, wherein the torsion bar is the most rigid point ofconnection between the face member and the rear member, wherein thetorsion bar is configured to create a mass damping effect upon an impacton the striking face, such that the torsion bar is configured to exertat least a counterclockwise torsional force on the striking face duringthe impact on the toe portion of the striking face and to exert at leasta clockwise torsional force on the striking face during the impact onthe heel portion of the striking face, when viewed from above, to createthe mass damping effect.
 12. The ball striking device of claim 11,wherein the torsion bar comprises a pin having a non-circularcross-section and being fixedly connected to one of the face member andthe rear member, and the connection assembly further comprises areceiver in the other of the face member and the rear member, thereceiver having a complementary non-circular cross-section and receivingthe pin therein, wherein the non-circular cross-section of the pin andthe complementary non-circular cross-section of the receiverrotationally fix the pin with respect to the receiver.
 13. The ballstriking device of claim 11, wherein the torsion bar is welded to theface member and the rear member.
 14. The ball striking device of claim11, wherein the torsion bar is positioned substantially equidistant froma heel edge and a toe edge of the face member.
 15. The ball strikingdevice of claim 11, wherein the torsion bar is generally aligned with acenter of gravity of the face member.
 16. The ball striking device ofclaim 11, wherein the face member further comprises a wall extendingrearwardly on a rear surface of the face member, and wherein the rearmember is connected to the torsion bar on a top side of the wall. 17.The ball striking device of claim 11, wherein the face member furthercomprises a wall extending rearwardly on a rear surface of the facemember, and wherein the rear member is connected to the torsion bar on abottom side of the wall.
 18. A golf putter comprising the ball strikingdevice of claim 11, wherein the ball striking device is a golf putterhead, and a shaft connected to the ball striking device.
 19. A ballstriking device comprising: a face member having a striking faceconfigured for striking a ball and a rear side opposite the strikingface, the striking face having a heel portion and a toe portion; a rearmember positioned behind the face member and connected to the rear sideof the face member, the rear member having a heel end and a toe end; anda connection assembly connecting the face member to the rear member,wherein the connection assembly comprises a pin having a firstconnection point connected to and rotationally fixed with respect to oneof the face member and the rear member, and a receiver located onanother of the face member and the rear member, the pin further having asecond connection point received within the receiver; and a resilientmaterial positioned within the receiver, the resilient material engagingthe pin and the receiver and separating the pin from the receiver,wherein the resilient material permits the pin to create a mass dampingeffect by flexing the resilient material, wherein the connectionassembly is configured to create the mass damping effect upon an impacton the striking face, such that the resilient material is configured tobe compressed at the toe end of the rear member during the impact on thetoe portion of the striking face, and the resilient material isconfigured to be compressed at the heel end of the rear member duringthe impact on the heel portion of the striking face.
 20. The ballstriking device of claim 19, wherein the resilient material is a gasketconnected to an inner surface of the receiver and defining an openingreceiving and engaging the pin.
 21. The ball striking device of claim19, wherein the resilient material is a lining on the pin that engagesan inner surface of the receiver when the pin is received within thereceiver.
 22. The ball striking device of claim 19, wherein the pin andthe receiver have non-circular cross-sections.
 23. The ball strikingdevice of claim 19, wherein the pin and the receiver are positionedsubstantially equidistant from a heel edge and a toe edge of the facemember.
 24. The ball striking device of claim 19, wherein the pin andthe receiver are generally aligned with a center of gravity of the facemember.
 25. A golf putter comprising the ball striking device of claim19, wherein the ball striking device is a golf putter head, and a shaftconnected to the ball striking device.